This week brings on lots of “practice” time for your baby. Since his/her organs are developed now, all there is left to do is for your baby to practice being a human… all inside of an amniotic-filled womb, of course.

Let’s see what else this week has to offer!

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How Big Is Baby at 26 Weeks?

Your baby is now the size of a scallion weighing about 1 2/3 pounds and measuring around 14 inches from head-to-feet.

Your baby has begun the epic chore of packing on the pounds!

Tips for A Healthy Pregnancy at 26 Weeks

Overwhelm– Many women report that the last half of their pregnancy is often the most hectic.

After months of attempting to do everything right (eat healthy, rest, exercise, etc.), you might be feeling tired of it all. And further still, you could have a to-do list that seems to be a mile long.

It can be tempting to start skipping meals or cramming one more activity in your daily line-up just to get things done or just get caught up.

Most times, people simply don’t realize how you honestly feel but are glad to offer assistance when you reach out.

Bending/Twisting – Bending and twisting have previously been viewed as harmful actions when it comes to pregnancy.

The truth is that they can be harmful. But, these actions can also be harmless if you execute them correctly.

For instance, it’s important to bend as if your waist was a 90-degree anchor point rather than hunching over into a bend.

Twisting is fine so long as you leave your abdomen facing forward as you twist your rib cage and shoulders.

Your uterus is working hard to make a safe environment for your baby, which is why you should be careful with these actions. Also, avoid bending and twisting at the same time.

Bathing – With all your new aches and pains, you might be looking for a little relief.

As you know, hot tubs and saunas are off limits but feel free to soak in a warm bath. Not only will this feel relaxing to you, but it will offer some relief to your achy body. Just remember not to make the water too hot.

How Many Months is 26 Weeks?

You have two more weeks until this second trimester is in the books. Then, you’ll be looking the finish line right in the face.

Ultrasound at 26 Weeks

Your baby is practice breathing more and more each day. He/she takes in gulps of amniotic fluid and then pees it back out.

This might sound a little gross, but this is just how babies let their organs “practice,” and it’s completely normal.

If you’re having a boy then his testicles have started to descend, but won’t be fully descended for another two to three months. If you’re having a girl, then she already has a lifetime supply of eggs already inside her.

26 Weeks Pregnant: Your Belly

At the end of the day, you’re probably feeling wiped out. And for good reason, too. Your belly is getting bigger and heavier. This can put an incredible strain on your lower back.

As you might already know, weak abdominal muscles can cause lower back pain for both pregnant or not pregnant women.

This is a big reason why fitness gurus always push for developing your core strength. Not only do they want you to show off a 6-pack, but they also want to help your back feel better.

Pregnancy naturally weakens your abdominal muscles. Actually, it splits them right in two like a “part the waters” kind of moment.

What all this means is that your back, mama, is taking a beating right now. And, it’s mostly your belly’s fault.

Like most pregnancy symptoms, though, this is all only temporary. So, hang in there!

26 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms & Changes in Your Body

Loose Joints – Due to the overflow of hormones pulsing through your body (especially relaxin), your joints are likely to feel looser. What this can mean for you is that your body doesn’t exactly function like it once did.

It might feel like your skeleton is being held together by your belly band some days. Some women describe their loose joints like the movement of a joint when it gets bumped out of place.

Usually, loose joints tighten back up after delivery, but some women resort to a chiropractor or even a physical therapist to properly align their body once again.

Nerve Pain – Now that your baby is getting bigger, he/she might cause a bigger kind of sensation, and not necessarily a good one.

Many times, a baby’s head will cause compression low in your pelvis creating sciatic nerve pain, numbness, and general discomfort.

Usually, this doesn’t happen until the baby descends into proper birthing position, but it can happen before that, too.

Whether or not you’ll deal with sciatic or not depends on your baby’s positioning and the pressure your back is already feeling from the added weight of pregnancy.

Center of Gravity – For many pregnant women, it seems that just when they get used to their belly size, baby has a huge growth spurt. This is sort of the game you play with pregnancy.

You buy a cute pregnancy shirt only to be able to wear it three times. Frustrating, right? Well, your center of gravity is always on the move during pregnancy.

So, there’s a good chance that you will feel a little topsy-turvy a lot of the time. Just remember to make slow, deliberate movements and find something to support your movements (climbing stairs, getting out of the tub, etc.) whenever possible.

26 Weeks Pregnant: With Twins

Like singletons, your twins or multiples are well aware of the world around them. They can hear and see small amounts of light illuminating through your skin. They might even be responding to it, which is incredibly entertaining!

You might be feeling very tired of dealing with all the symptoms. After all, it’s hard enough to bring one baby into the world. Two or more is a huge undertaking!

So, be sure to respect what you’re doing (growing babies) and rest when you need to rest. You’re about to embark on the last leg of your pregnancy journey, so keep moving forward with this marathon, mama!

26 Weeks Pregnant: A Checklist

Start writing a birth plan.

Settle on nursery furniture.

Do any last-minute travel.

Talk with your partner about your baby’s last name.

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